Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged his team to move on quickly from their FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace and focus on securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

City were beaten 1-0 at Wembley, with Eberechi Eze scoring the decisive goal to hand Palace their first major trophy in 120 years. It was City’s second defeat in their last three FA Cup final appearances.

Speaking to the media after the match, Guardiola expressed his disappointment but stressed the importance of the upcoming league fixtures. He noted that the team played well but admitted it was not enough to win. With two Premier League games remaining, City need four points to secure a top-four finish, and Guardiola emphasized that this objective must be the priority now.

He made it clear that his focus has already shifted to the next match against Bournemouth. Guardiola said he had not reviewed the final yet, as all his attention has been on preparing for the Bournemouth game, which he described as crucial in the race for Champions League qualification.

Despite the setback at Wembley, Guardiola remains confident that his side will finish the season strongly. He stated that if they fail to qualify, they would accept Europa League football, but he fully believes they will achieve their target.

The manager also provided an update on Rodri, who has been recovering from an ACL injury. He said the midfielder is improving day by day and could return soon, depending on the medical team’s decision.

Guardiola addressed the missed penalty in the first half of the final by Omar Marmoush, saying he has not yet decided who will take the next one. He added that the penalty taker will simply be the player who can score.

Reflecting on the broader season, Guardiola pointed out that trophies have been shared among several clubs, with Newcastle winning the Carabao Cup, Liverpool taking the Premier League title, and City lifting the Community Shield.

Manchester City now turn their attention to the final two matches of the season as they aim to confirm their place in the Champions League and finish the campaign on a high note.